Two rare and unusual plants found at Kilcowera Station

Can't see the plants for the birds? Your birding will be far more meaningful, particularly, once the plant-bird associations gel. Somebody find me a botanist!!
Post Reply
Toni
Posts: 25
Joined: Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:18 am
Location: SW Qld
Contact:

Two rare and unusual plants found at Kilcowera Station

Post by Toni »

It's so exciting when we find the rare and unusual growing in our backyard. And after 9 years of drought to see the bushes and trees flowering, the grasses all going to seed and the accompanying explosion of birdlife, well it was nearly worth while waiting that long. Nearly.

The two plants that we found are Stackhousiaceae. Macgregoria racemigera or Carpet of snow. We have only seen this one growing once before after substantial winter rain and then only in one spot on Kilcowera. It has come up in the same spot as before. So this has come up after summer rain and has been flowering for weeks now despite the fact it's supposed to flower in spring/summer.

The other plant is Fabaceae. Hardenbergia violacea. This was last seen about 15 years ago growing on high rocky hillsides among Currawang trees. The ones I found yesterday are beautiful specimens growing in similar country in a place we call Rustlers Roost. This is a newish drive/ walk that we have given visitors access to. The plants were found in a deep rocky gorge in a very protected position growing up the rocks ( and clinging to them ) and the Casuarina trees. These trees are also quite uncommon and only found in a few places on Kilcowera. Can't wait to see the vines flowering. Cheers Toni
Post Reply

Return to “Plants, fungi, etc”